Team News

FPL injury and team news updates ahead of Blank Gameweek 29

There’s a lot less team news to get through this week, with only eight clubs in Premier League action in Blank Gameweek 29.

We’ve got all the injury latest in our weekly press conference round-up below.

Neale and Andy’s video is also now available to view on YouTube:

For more information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.

ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

While there is optimism on Bamford’s fitness, there is still a lot of doubt surrounding the availability of Son Heung-min (muscle) for Gameweek 29.

Speaking ahead of Spurs’ ill-fated trip to Croatia on Thursday, Jose Mourinho said of the Korean’s timeframe for recovery:

I don’t know, I don’t know, but of course, no chance for this one.

The Spurs boss looks to be pointing us in the direction of a (potentially tactical) no-show for Gameweek 29, discussing Son’s chances of representing South Korea over the international break:

If a player is injured and cannot play, a friendly or official, it doesn’t matter the match it is. So if we arrived next week and Sonny is injured and we can obviously prove that to the South Korean Football Association, what is he going to do there? Nothing. So if a player cannot play for the club, he cannot play for the country.

Indeed, speaking to the club media later in the day, Mourinho added:

Sonny has no chance for this match, no chance at all. I even feel it’s very doubtful for the weekend. I believe he will need the international break to recover totally.

Annoyingly, we didn’t get an update on Son’s fitness after the defeat in Zagreb.

Spurs otherwise have a fully fit squad for the Aston Villa game, with Giovani Lo Celso making his return from injury in midweek.

As for Aston Villa, Dean Smith said that he was hopeful of Jack Grealish‘s (leg) recovery ahead of the clash with Spurs.

The Villa talisman has been back on the grass this week and described as “pain-free” but Smith did add that Grealish had not even trained with his team-mates as of Friday, saying:

I’m hopeful for Jack. I’ll leave it until Sunday morning. He’s not trained with us at the moment, but he’s pain-free and he’s running. Ultimately, it will be his decision.

I’m hopeful, but if he doesn’t play I can pretty much guarantee he’ll be ready for the Fulham game after the international break. I know Aston Villa fans will be fretting over whether it’s a long-term injury. It’s not a long-term injury. We’ve been guided by Jack, who’s been suffering the pain. We’ll leave it as late as we can.

Bertrand Traore‘s (rib) prognosis is a little more positive, with Smith saying:

Bert is having an injection and he will train on Saturday, so he should be available for selection come Sunday. He got a whack in the rib, took a tumble over the boards and he was in a lot of pain. He went to hospital but thankfully there was no bleed. He’s just had some painkillers for that and he’ll be ready to train Saturday morning.

Wesley is still building back up to full speed and will feature in a bounce game over the international break, while Kortney Hause is similarly in need of match fitness after his own lengthy lay-off.

FULHAM V LEEDS UNITED

Patrick Bamford has a good chance of recovering from a knock to the hip in time for Leeds’ trip to Craven Cottage, although wasn’t pictured in a training ground video on Thursday.

Speaking to the media, Marcelo Bielsa said:

We think that yes, he will play on Friday. He has a knock on his hip that is painful but we don’t think that it’s going to make him miss the game.

Liam Cooper (illness) looks set to miss out on Friday’s match, however, while Leif Davis and Rodrigo are fresh doubts with minor muscle problems picked up in training.

Bielsa added:

Cooper is sick, Davis has a small articulation problem which is nothing serious. Rodrigo had a contracture yesterday in training which I don’t know if he’s going to be available for the game on Friday. Either way, it’s not an important injury.

Cooper had earlier been ruled out of Scotland’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers by national team coach Steve Clarke, in doing so implying that he has little chance of featuring in Gameweek 29.

His absence would seem to boost the prospects of Pascal Struijk retaining his place at centre-half, with Bielsa confirming that the budget FPL defender had come through his earlier-than-expected return from injury against Chelsea unscathed.

Robin Koch is fit again, but after a lengthy injury lay-off and after only featuring for 45 minutes for the under-23s earlier this week, his manager said the Whites would “have to be careful” about a first-team comeback.

Scott Parker will be able to name an unchanged side for this match, with no new injuries to report from the Fulham camp and Tom Cairney (knee) still sidelined.

Parker said in his pre-match conference call:

The squad’s all good at the moment, no new fresh injury worries. Tom Cairney is still a little bit off so he won’t be involved.

In the written section of his press conference, Scott Parker later confirmed that Bobby De Cordova-Reid (knock/hamstring) – who missed the defeat to Manchester City – would also sit this game out.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION V NEWCASTLE UNITED

Brighton could be able to call upon Dan Burn for their relegation six-pointer against Newcastle United, with the hamstring injury that forced him off against Southampton not as serious as first feared.

Graham Potter told reporters on Thursday:

He’s responded well. I think he’ll train tomorrow, we’re hopeful he will. So he could be available for the weekend, that’s good news for us.

Striker Aaron Connolly is also an option as a substitute after making a swift recovery from a rib injury – although off-field indiscretions could still cost him a place in the matchday squad.

Tariq Lamptey (hamstring) and Solly March (knee) are long-term absentees, with Adam Webster (foot) not expected back until after the international break.

Allan Saint-Maximin (groin) and Fabian Schar (knee) remain absent ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Brighton but there was positive injury news from the Magpies’ camp to report, with Callum Wilson (hamstring) and Miguel Almiron (knee) both back on the grass.

Steve Bruce told the media:

They’re both back on the grass. We still think with Callum that the international beak is at the right time but he’s well into his rehabilitation, he’s back on the grass.

Almiron trained for the first time yesterday, we’ll see how he is. He’s got a chance – we’ll see.

WEST HAM UNITED V ARSENAL

Saka, Aubameyang return to Arsenal starting XI but Smith Rowe absent from squad

Bukayo Saka will be assessed for hamstring tightness ahead of the trip to West Ham, having been substituted in the north London derby last weekend and then having missed out against Olympiacos.

Mikel Arteta had earlier in the week declared that the young winger was “much better” but his subsequent comments on Thursday were less positive:

We spoke yesterday and he wasn’t ready to be involved today. We made that decision and we will make that decision for Sunday against West Ham, then we will talk to the doctors at the national team to decide what we do.

On Friday morning, Arteta added:

Everybody was fine after the [Olympiacos] game, we will assess them this morning. Regarding [Bukayo Saka], in the next two days, we will know if he is available to play against West Ham and after that we will make the decision on what to do.

Willian had also missed out on Thursday because of a tight calf, with further news awaited on the Brazilian.

Arteta has reiterated that no problem remains with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after disciplinary issues caused him to sit out the north London derby, saying ahead of the striker’s 90-minute run-out in Europe:

We talked, everything has been resolved in a really positive way so we move forward.

Overlooked Fornals can benefit from West Ham's appealing fixture run

David Moyes said that West Ham’s injury situation remains similar to what it was last weekend, with Pablo Fornals (knock) said to be “improving”.

Longer-term absentees Angelo Ogbonna, Arthur Masuaku and Andriy Yarmolenko aren’t too far away from a return but will sit this one out.

Jesse Lingard is available after being ineligible to face his parent club in Gameweek 28.

1,718 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Salah or Son to Auba?

    Cancelo to Veltman or Dunk (Have Rudiger, AWB, Dias, Dallas)

    Have 2 FT no wildcard and Kane

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Salah.

      Dunk - hits free kicks.

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I'd lose Son and get him back in GW34.

      Dunk if you plan on starting him regularly, otherwise get Veltman if he'll be bench fodder.

  2. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    This gameweek is doing my head in!

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Just be over, already! 😛

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Every GW this season has done my head in, just make a right decision to save my life.

  3. Rick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Will Aubameyang play ?

    1. shady4revr
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Played 90 yesterday and looked rusty, doubtful.

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      The 11.5 million pound question.

    3. Gazzz
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Fan forums say no

    4. Goooo Rickie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I have no idea who will play either

  4. smix
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Best captain choice ?
    A. Kane
    B. Dunk
    C. Trossard
    D. Lingard

    1. shady4revr
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      A harry kane hurricane.

  5. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Dunk Trossard or Dunk Bale? Have son.

    1. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Trossard or Bale?

      Big difference in money

  6. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Dunk or Dallas (c) ?

    1. shady4revr
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Kane.

      1. TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        I’ve sold him. Rubbish player who tries to hurt other players. Can’t have that type in my team

        1. shady4revr
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 10 days ago

          Lol

  7. Killitzer
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    I am trying to choose between Dunk and Cresswell for Cancello. Was all set for Dunk based on the GW but then saw the 3 gameweeks after that which are grim.

    Cresswell definitely appeals but if I go down that route I cannot get in Antonio or Lingard as he will be my 3rd WH player.

    Anyone facing the same dilemna?

  8. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Who to take out for Aubameyang?
    A) Bruno
    B) Son

    1. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Aubameyang

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Not Bruno

  9. Xanthorpe
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Auba enough of a rotation risk to consider going for Odegaard instead?

    1. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I'd opt for Odegaard anyway to save the £

      1. Xanthorpe
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Money isn't a problem at all. I'll have 4.0 in the bank even after Auba.

    2. shady4revr
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Ode differential.

    3. AF90
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Gone for Laca instead but on FH

  10. NejiHyuuga01
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Start one:

    A) Trossard
    B)Tierney

    1. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      A)lways start the attacker

      1. NejiHyuuga01
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thanks

  11. Goooo Rickie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Opinions on Maupay?

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Useless

      1. shady4revr
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Hahaha

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Scored 2 in reverse fixture. Am getting him

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Last 9 games
        0 goals
        1 assist

  12. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Tierney & Odegaard

    Reguilon & Lingard

    Cresswell & Grealish

    I can't decide

  13. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Still have WC. GTG or would you try with Salah to Bale or Auba (-4)?

    Sanchez*
    Dallas* Coufal* Targett*
    Raphinha(C)* Soucek* Salah Bruno
    Kane* Bambford* Watkins*

    Pope Dias Cancelo Gundo

  14. Bojam
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Repost as no replies.

    Should I:

    (A) Free Hit; or
    (B) use 2 FTs to get 7 players (+Son if fit) out?

    After two transfers, team would be:

    Sanchez (Martinez)
    Dunk, Coufal (Dias, Stones, Rudiger)
    Bale, Raphinha, Son? (Bruno; Gundogan)
    Kane, Watkins (DCL)

    Could also take a -4 to do Bruno -> Auba or Gundogan -> Lingard

    Thanks guys!

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Looks good. Gundog to Lingard too, although I prefer Antonio if poss.

      1. Bojam
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Cheers! Keeping DCL for GW30 vs Palace so Antonio isn't an option.

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      I'd use FH unless you have any other specific plans for when to use it.

      1. Bojam
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        GW33 (City, Spurs blank) or GW34 possible DGW. FH could be really useful for either.

    3. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Several weeks to plan transfers for those gw's so depends on which you choose to prioritise I guess.

  15. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Threw caution to the wind and took a -8 to put out 11 (assuming Bamford is fit).

    Been out of the loop today regarding news, etc - team look ok?

    Areola
    Cresswell - Dallas - Tierney - Veltman
    Lookman - Raphinha - Lingard
    Kane - Watkins - Bamford

  16. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Better combo on FH? Grealish/Antonio or Lingard/Watkins?

  17. Daghe Munegu
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Gundogan to Bale -4 ?

    1. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Yes. And Bale (c).

  18. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    who to bench? Antonio or Watkins, Targett or Dallas, Sanchez or Martinez.

    1. Bojam
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Bench: Antonio, Targett & Martinez imo.
      Can you give me your thoughts on my post above?

  19. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Martinez or Areola on a FH? (already have 2 Brighton defs)

  20. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Pick 2 from Lingard Auba Raphinha Dallas?

    Thanks

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Lingard and Dallas

  21. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    GTG?

    Martinez
    Tierney, Dunk(vc), Struijk
    Bale, Lingard, Raphina
    Bamford, Kane(c), Antonio

  22. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    For this GW only who to get
    A - Lacazette
    B- Bamford
    C- Watkins

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      A out of those assuming u have Antonio and Kane

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 10 days ago

        Thxxxxx

  23. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    hows she looking ?

    Martinez
    Reguilon Konsa Dallas Burn
    Raph Bale
    Kane Antonio

  24. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Which is a better pick for the next 2 gw?

    A) Raphinha
    B) Lingard

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      A

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Rapha playing 2 of the bottom 3 teams.....

    3. shady4revr
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Raph

  25. Hangman Page
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    The desperation builds.

  26. shady4revr
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Choose one
    A Dunk and Trossard
    B Dunk and Bale
    C Dunk and Odegaard

    1. BOOM XHAKALACA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B

    3. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      B

  27. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    Worth a -4 to do

    DCL to max 7.8 striker for this week(not Bamford already have 3 Leeds)

    Or Cancelo to max 6.2 defender this week (playing Dallas and Cresswell)

  28. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    FH baby. For this GW only:

    Pick 2
    A) Antonio
    B) Lacazette
    c) Watkins

    Pick 1
    a) Sanchez
    b) Areola

    1. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Anto Laca
      Sanchez

  29. BOOM XHAKALACA
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 10 days ago

    DCL to Watkins/Antonio for a hit?
    Have 8 playing without the hit

    1. Cheeto__Bandito
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      im doing it for antonio, bit better long term

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      No

    3. EL TANO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 10 days ago

      100% Ant

  30. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 10 days ago

      Bamford dark horse cap?